Many 20-somethings (myself included) may find it challenging to carve a clear career path in a field as broad as education. With so many types of organizations tackling a range of critical issues, the breadth of choices for jobs and specialties can be overwhelming. Add to that the seemingly endless pool of like-minded, talented colleagues, and it becomes an even more daunting task to set oneself apart. Not for Zakiya Smith, who was named to the Forbes list “30 Under 30 in Education” just last year.

Zakiya is an Atlanta native who made her way to the DC education policy world via Vanderbilt and Harvard universities. Previously a senior adviser for education at the White House Domestic Policy Council and at the U.S. Department of Education, Zakiya is currently a strategy director for the Lumina Foundation.

In an article in Inside Higher Ed, you were described by a colleague as someone who "totally understands higher ed" and makes it relatable to government officials and other stakeholders. What originally sparked your interest in higher education? How did it become your career focus?

My plan after undergrad was to become a teacher, and I gained my bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt in both education and political science, with a certification to teach secondary social studies. Since I had always been interested in education policy, I had planned to transition from teaching at some point. However, after an internship on the Hill right after college before grad school, I decided that I wanted to come right back to DC, without teaching first. I took a class in grad school on college access, and it got me interested in financial aid and other policies that are within the “higher education” realm. My first job out of grad school was at the Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance, where I worked on a report on college access programs and early financial aid information. From there, the next report I worked on was about financial aid simplification, then community colleges, and by that point I was thoroughly enmeshed in the “higher education” arena. Still, it wasn’t until I transitioned to the Department of Education in the Obama administration that I began to think of myself as a “higher ed” person.

As a senior adviser at the Department of Education and to the White House, describe what it was like to be in your 20s and influencing important people and agendas. What were some of the challenges you faced in the job?

These jobs are challenging no matter how old you are! Washington is a place where young people can thrive more easily than in other locales, so I am thankful for that. I actually think that my youth and energy gave me a leg up. I was willing to stay late (no spouse or kids to be responsible for!), and I had the energy to power through when the slog was tough. Certainly, there is some age bias that is natural to higher education, in particular, but I tried to know my facts inside and out so that I was always a useful person to have in the room when policies were being debated.

At a relatively young age, you've moved up the career ladder quickly. How did you do it? Do you have suggestions for YEP readers who are looking to make similar moves in their own careers?

I think it’s bit of “right place/right time” and a bit of grit and hard work. I believe DC is a place where you can rise quickly if you’re willing to work hard — knowledge and information is prized here, and those who can provide those things are valued. If you understand a policy in depth, or tackle an issue no one else is looking at — that can be really useful. In particular, I think that developing an area of expertise where you add value to the public policy debate is key. For instance, so many people are interested in “the achievement gap” broadly, but there aren’t as many people who are experts in the types of developmental education that are most effective at helping minority students graduate from college. You don’t need to over-specialize, but if you don’t have any depth at all, it’s harder to be useful. Someone once told me, "Make it hard to not have you in the room." You should strive to learn enough about an issue, or a set of issues, so that you are so valuable that people constantly want to have you in the room. That said, I’ve also had amazing mentors and bosses who continually looked out for me and recommended me for positions that I never even knew existed. I got most of my jobs in DC by being approached by someone who thought I’d be good, not by applying cold turkey.

Why did you make a career change from government to a private foundation? What are some of the main differences between these two sectors, in terms of their impact on education and the issues you care about?

I was tired! Honestly, it was just the right time for me to have a different pace. After five and a half years in government and four in the Obama administration, I felt like I had made a solid contribution and learned a ton in the process. Obviously, within government I was able to have a more direct influence on policy. However, there is a ton of bureaucracy involved in order to get things done. Organizations outside government can focus the public and policymaker attention on key issues, as well. I value the freedom that I have now to explore new issues and contribute to the public dialogue more freely.

What are some of the initiatives you are currently working on at Lumina?

At Lumina, I lead the foundation’s work to develop new models of student financial support for higher education. Basically, I am leading our work to re-think the way we help students pay for college and all of its associated costs. There are a ton of things that fall under that bucket, and I’m excited to begin peeling back that onion.

Amanda Klein works for an education nonprofit. Her Q&As with local education leaders are a regular Recess feature. Send your suggestions for future interviews to amandalklein(at)gmail(dot)com.

That is an excellent interview with Ms. Zakiya Smith! Thank you so much for conducting the interview and providing all of us here at YEP with its questions and answers. I am a brand new member to YEP, and I am truly thankful and appreciative of such wonderful, informative, open, honest information sharing and dialogue.

Ms. Smith's answers are pretty enlightening and at the same time not that surprising either. It's so interesting how powerful networking is and illuminates itself to be; over the past month or so, I've also personally experienced the amazing benefits and meaningfulness that connecting with others (such as like-minded professionals, even individuals whom you just know, or friends of friends, etc.) has to offer. For example, initiative and networking led me to learn about and become a member of Young Educated Professionals; I am extremely excited and grateful to this organization, its mission and members who help make its goals a reality.

People and life itself are excellent teachers in one way or another; that's why listening and sharing like this is so fundamental to everyone's success. I've definitely learned a lot from this illuminating interview; it's wonderful to be able to learn from successful peoples' experiences, especially to benefit the lives of others.

I'm excited about future interviews as well, just as Dana said! Looking forward to all that comes next. Thanks again Amanda!

Michael

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Amanda Klein

8/2/2013 01:38:28 am

Welcome to the YEP community, Michael! I really appreciate your comments and am glad that you enjoyed the interview. I'm always happy to take recommendations for future interviews, so please feel free to email me.

Sincerely,

Amanda

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YEP-DC is a nonpartisan group of education professionals who work in research, policy, and practice – and even outside of education. The views expressed here are only those of the attributed author, not YEP-DC. This blog aims to provide a forum for our group’s varied opinions. It also serves as an opportunity for many more professionals in DC and beyond to participate in the ongoing education conversation. We hope you chime in, but we ask that you do so in a considerate, respectful manner. We reserve the right to modify or delete any content or comments. For any more information or for an opportunity to blog, contact us via one of the methods below.

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MONICA GRAY is co-founder & president of DreamWakers, an edtech nonprofit. She writes on education innovation and poverty.

LYDIA HALL is a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she works on education, civil rights, and other issues. Lydia is interested in helping to bridge the gap between Capitol Hill and the classroom.

MOSES PALACIOS is an advocate for student rights and works as a Research Manager for the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) - a coalition of urban school districts across the nation. He writes on issues regarding the children of immigrants and students learning English as a second language. His views are his own and not representative of CGCS.

PATRICIA RUANE is aresearch associate at an education nonprofit. She is an editor of Recess. ​LESLIE WELSH is a high school social studies teacher in DC. She is an editor of Recess.